A European Parliament budget oversight delegation completed a three-day Athens visit Wednesday, examining Greece’s management of EU agricultural funds amid serious allegations surrounding the former farm subsidies payment agency OPEKEPE.
The Budget Control Committee (CONT), led by Tomas Zdechovsky (EPP, Czech Republic), met with senior Agriculture Ministry officials and other stakeholders. Zdechovsky praised Greek authorities as “very cooperative,” noting their commitment to reforming the agricultural payments system following “serious deficiencies.” He called for full implementation of a 40-step action plan by the end of 2027, of which Greek authorities have completed nine steps. He also urged stronger whistleblower protections.
Socialist MEPs Yiannis Maniatis and Lucia Annunziata sharply criticized the process, alleging that up to 80% of arranged meetings involved government representatives, while scandal witnesses were largely excluded. They noted the OPEKEPE scandal cost farmers and livestock breeders over €800 million. The committee’s report is expected by late June.
